Detox from cocaine is necessary for a long, healthy recovery. Cocaine is habit forming and triggers cravings. Learn what to expect during detox including how long it will take and what to do when it ends.
Acute withdrawal from cocaine use lasts around 1-3 weeks. Cocaine will be present in the body for approximately 72 hours after use. It can be detected in urine though traces of it may be found for up to 12 weeks. The length of time it takes depends on the individual’s length of use and how much was used. After years of use, extreme dependence develops and withdrawal symptoms will be more intense for those persons. Protracted symptoms may continue for weeks or months.
Days 1-3: in the 24-72 hours following last use of cocaine, it is possible to feel remorse and depression. It may be hard to sleep and wake up feeling bad but it is part of the initial detox symptoms and will go away. Hunger and irritability are also common.
Days 4-7: Low and high drug cravings can be present during this time. Extreme craving begins to decrease after 3-4 days. Long periods of sleep will be needed as well as water consumption and nutrition. Symptoms of withdrawal include:
One week: after a week, an individual will start to feel better and confidence may start to return. Depressive symptoms, mood disorders and problems sleeping will occur. Cravings may disappear and resurface with no warning. After the first week, symptoms may remain including unpleasant dreams and increased appetite.
Two weeks: In two weeks after acute cocaine detox, the cravings for drug which may start to return and the hunger, anger and depression may continue as well. Vivid dreams and thoughts of using cocaine again may reemerge.
Detoxing
It takes about a week to detox from cocaine. Breaking the binge/crash cycle is probably the hardest part of cocaine detox. The extreme craving that occurs after the crash decreases after 3-4 days. Psychological treatments can help and researchers are investing time and energy into research around medicinal developments for cocaine withdrawal. So far, none of the research has been approved by the FDA. Detoxing from cocaine can be an unpleasant experience but can be more manageable with the help of a licensed facility able to best support people who have addiction and those looking to enter recovery following a period of detox.
Hired Power supports individuals on the road to recovery from cocaine addiction. If you are struggling to find help, call us. There is hope to get better with resources and information about cocaine addiction.